Quick release electrical connector



Jan. 21, 1964 w,

QUICK RELEASE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed April 17, 1961 INVEN TOR.MAL/4M 4 20.;

I I II United States Patent 3,118,713 QUICK RELEASE ELECTRHQAL(IGNNECTGR William A. Ellis, 316 N. G St, Space 16, Lompoc, Calif. FiledApr. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 1tl3,644 24) Claims. (Cl. 33912) This inventionrelates to electrical connectors generally, and in particular toelectrical connectors of the quicl: release type which may be externallyactuated to effect quick disconnection of the cooperating elements ofthe connector.

\Vm'le the electrical connector of the present invention is of generalapplication, it finds particular ut rt feotin temporary electricalconnections between a movable element or vehicle such as a rocket ormissile or other air or ground vehicle and a ground station where it isdesired to efiect quick and reliable disconnection of the electricalcircuits interconnecting the vehicle and the ground station. Theelectrical connector according to the present invention will handle alarge number of interconnecting circuits and will enable these circuitsto be maintained connected until substantially the time of vehiclemovement when the connector may be quickly separated and the circuitssimultaneously disconnectedv According to an exemplary embodiment ofthis invention the ground station connected portion of the connector isquickl ejected from the ve icle connected portion and, if not destroyedby the vehicle exhaust, is reusable with another cooperating vehicleportion without rewiring of the ground station portion of the connector.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form ofquick release electrical connector providing for reliable disconnectionof the connector components upon external actuation.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an electricalconnector tor a multiplicity of circuits, having means for positivelyadjusting the relative position of the connector components to adjustthe pressure beween the cooperating contacts upon such components, andwith improved means for effecting release of the connection between saidcomponents and for ejecting one of the components from the connector tosimultaneously disconnect the c'ncuits Lrough the connector.

A further object of this invention is an electrical connector for a mulplicity of circuits biased for relative separating movement tosimultaneously disconnect all of said circuits, with improved means foreffecting release of connection b 'een the cooperating components of econnector to provide for quick relative movement herebetwecn under saidbias.

A still fu ther object of this invention is to provide an improved formof electrical cornctor for a multiplicity of circuits having for pos elyengaging the coonerating components of the connector and forcing the corients into contact position with means for effecting the automaticseparation of the components to rmultaneously disco :ct all of thecircuits.

Yet a o her object of this invention is the provision of an improvedelectrical connector for a multiplicity of circuits providing for aWiping contact surface action and for deformation of resilient contactsto apply a substantial pressure to the contact surfaces.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of an improvedquick release electrical connector having a maximum of circuits thereirough and in which connector separation is qui k, positive, sure andreliable.

An ancillary object of this invention is to provide an improved contactmounting for an electrical connector.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art from the following specificationand the appended drawing, in which:

Bildflld Patented Jan. 21, 1954 FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectionalview through the electrical connector of the present invention;

.FiGURE la is an enlarged detail View of the connecting and releasingmeans for the cooperating members of the electrical connector of thisinvention;

FEGURE 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 2-2 of FiG'UREl;

FEGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the male member of he connectorof this invention;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of cooperating contacts onthe male and female members of the connector of this invention justprior to the instant of contact;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the contactarrangement with the male and female members fully engaged; and

FlGURlE 6 is a detail sectional view showing an alternative contactmounting arrangement.

As specifically illustrated in the drawing, the electrical connector ofthis invention comprises a relatively stationar 3 female memberindicated generally at 11 and composed of molded insulating material,such as Bakelite, and having cooperating therewith a complementary malemember 12 also formed of molded insulating material. The female member12. is provided with a pair of internal surfaces 13 and 14 in the formof truncated cones radially and axially spaced from each other. The malememher is provided with complementary truncated cone surfaces externallythereof, as at 15 and 16.

The inner surface 13 of the female member 11 is proto a plurality ofcircumfercntially spaced notches 317 n which are disposed contactmembers 18. The contacts includes shank portions 1? within which aresecured internal circuit wiring 21. The surface 14 of the female memberii is similarly provided with a plurality of circumferentially spacedgrooves or notches 22 in which are disposed contact members 23 havingshank portions 24 connected to internal wiring 25. The notches l7 and1-2 and contacts 1% and 23 of the female member are arranged to becomplementary to the contacts in the male member shown in the end Viewof FIGURE 3 and to be described hereinafter.

While only two stages of contacts are shown at the truncated surfaces 13and 14, it is understood that any desired number of stages andconcentric sets of circumerential contacts may be utilized within thelimitations the size of the connector. The angle which the contacts 3and 23 make with respect to the axis of the connector is preferably notsubstantially less than 12 degrees, so as to prevent any tendency of thecooperating contacts on the male and female members to seize and preventthe automatic ejection of the male member from the connector.

Within the female member ll is molded a metallic plate El havingcircumferential holes 32 therethrough, through which extend the shanks19 of the contacts 18. The plate 31 is provided with a forwardlydirected indexing pin 33 which cooperates with a hole 34 in the malemember 12 to insure proper indexing of tthe contacts on the tale andfemale members of the connector. Centrally of the plate 31 there isprovided a generally rectangular opening 35 having upper and lowercurved beveled surfaces 36 and 37, as shown more particularly in PEG-URE 2.

While either member of the connector may be stationary while the otheris ejected therefrom, in the specific form illustrated in the drawingthe female member 11 has been selected to be the relatively stationaryone which is mounted on the movable vehicle, while the movable member 12is automatically ejected from the female memher to interrupt theconnections between the internal and external circuits upon operation ofthe connector.

The truncated conical surface 15 of the male member 12 is provided witha plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 41 to be disposedopposite the notches 17 in the female member 11, and within the notches41 are disposed contacts 42 cooperating with the contacts 18. Thecontacts 42 have shanks 43 connected to exterior circuit Wiring .4.Similarly, the conical surface 16 on the male member 12 is provided withcircumferentially spaced notches 45 to be disposed opposite the notches22 on the female member 11, and in which are disposed contacts 46cooperating with the contacts 23. The contacts 46 have shanks 47connected to exterior circuit wiring 48.

The contacts are so dimensioned that in their bowed shape as shown inFIGURE 4 they engage the ends of the notches in which they are disposed.This prevents a simple sliding action of the contact end and instead restrains the end and requires a further curvature adjacent the ends ofthe contacts when their engaging surfaces are flattened as in FIGUREengagement.

A metallic plate 49 and a U-shaped bracket 51 are mounted on the frontof the male member 12 by means of studs 52. Slidably mounted in openings53 and 54 in the plate 49 and in the bight of the bracket 51,respectively, is an actuating bolt 55. The outer exterior surface of thebolt 55 is threaded at 56 to receive an elongated nut 57 having a handle58 and bearing against the outer surface of the bight of the bracket 51.The bolt 55 has a central bore to receive an elongated main operatingpin 61 which has a reduced and pointed end portion 62 at its interiorend, and a lanyard ring 63 at its outer end.

Adjacent to its interior end the bolt 55 is provided with opposite upperand lower slots 65 and 66 in which are disposed domed rollers 67 and 68,respectively. The rollers 67 and 68 are mounted on axles 69 and 71, respectively, disposed in slots 72 and 73 so that the rollers 67 and 68may move radially with respect to the bolt 55. The end of the bolt 55adjacent to the slots 65 and 66 is rectangular in form at 74, as shownin FIGURE 2, and conforms to the rectangular opening 35 in the plate 31of the female member 11. The reduced end 62 of the pin 61 is disposedbetween the rollers 67 and 68, as shown in FIGURES la and 2, to forcethe rollers 67 and 63 to their outermost position, as shown in thesefigures, the rollers 67 and 68 then engaging with the beveled surfaces36 and 37 on the plate 31. In the innermost position of the pin 61, thebolt 55 and pin 61 have mating openings through which extends a cottershear pin 75 normally holding the bolt and pin together in thisrelationship.

Extending through the pin 61 and rigid therewith is a transverse trippin 76 slidable within a pair of opposite slots 77 in the bolt 55. Aboutthe bolt 55 and within the U-shaped bracket 51 is disposed anelectromagnetic coil 78, and cooperating therewith is a magneticarmature 79 also surrounding the bolt 55 and having an end surface 81adapted to engage the trip pin 76 in the attracted position of thearmature. A light biasing spring 32 biases the armature 75 into itsunattracted position so that it will engage the trip pin 76 with a sharpblow when the electromagnetic coil 78 is energized.

The male member 12 has a bore 83 therethrough through which the bolt 55slidably extends, and the bore 83 is countersunk at 84 to receive astrong biasing spring 85 whose inner end presses against the plate 31and applies a biasing force to the male member 12, tending to effectseparation of the male member from the female member by ejecting it fromthe connector. An end 86 on the spring 85 is received within acomplementary hole in the male member 12 to retain the spring 85 withinthe countersink 84. A sealing gasket 87 is disposed in a circular groovein the outer surface of the female member 11 and cooperates with theplate 49 on the male member in sealing relation. The plate 49 is flangedat 38 to interlock with a flexible sealing cover 89 whose outer end isprovided with a throat 91 engaging the nut 57 in sealing relation. Theexternal circuit wiring 44 and 43 connected to the contacts 42 and 46 ofthe male member of the connector is led through the cover 89 in a cable92.

The operation of the connector according to the present invention is asfollows. With the pin 61 in retracted position, the end 62 thereof freesthe rollers 67 and 68 for movement radially inwardly of the bolt 55. Theinner end 74 of the bolt 55 is first inserted through the opening 35 inthe plate 31, with the male member 12 thus partially inserted into thefemale member 11. The pin 61 is next fully inserted into the bolt 55with the end 62 pressing the rollers 67 and 68 radially outwardly intothe positions shown in the drawing, in back of the plate 31 and engagedwith the bevels 36 and 37 thereon. The shear pin is now inserted in themating openings in the bolt 55 and pin 61 to maintain the pin in itsinserted position relative to the bolt. This locks the male and femalemembers of the connector together. It will be understood that in thepreviously described operation the nut 57 will have been loosened topermit this operation to be conducted freely. At this time thecooperating contacts of the male and female members are substantially inthe position shown in FIGURE 4, just prior to engagement. The nut 51 isnow tightened, and by its engagement with the outer surface of the bightof the U-shaped bracket 51, the male member 12 is forced inwardlyrelative to the female member 11 into full engagement therewith, thebolt 55 being prevented from withdrawing from the plate 31 by theengagement of the rollers 67 and 63 with the bevels 36 and 37. As themale member moves inwardly, the cooperating contacts, as at 46 and 23 inFIGURE 4, engage and move relative to each other with a wiping action.Also, since the contacts are at an angle such that there is a componentof movement of the one toward the other, there is a mutual deformationof the contact forms from the normal outwardly bowed positions of FIGURE4 into the substantially flat positions of FIGURE 5. In this contactmovement the ends of the contacts are restrained and must take a sharperbend in order to accommodate the straightening of the contactingsurfaces. It will be understood that the contacts are of good conductingbut resilient material, such as bronze, and that their deformation fromtheir normal form of FIGURE 4 into the flattened engaged form of FIGURE5 effects a high contact pressure between the contacting surfaces toprovide a good low-resistance contact in the connector.

After the metering, supply, and other functions of the connectorcircuits have been completed and it is desired to eject the male memberfrom the female member of the connector so that the female member willbe free to move off with the vehicle to which it is attached, theelectromagnetic coil 73 is energized to attract the armature 79 formovement against the bias of the spring 32. The end surface 31 of thearmature 79 then engages the trip pin 76 with a sharp blow, shears theshear pin 75, and moves the operating pin 61 outwardly. This moves theend 62. of the pin 61 into the dotted-line position of FIG- URE la, sothat the rollers 67 and 63 are free to move inwardly. Due to the beveledsurfaces 36 and 37, the axial force of the spring exerts a radialcomponent of force on the rollers 67 and 63 so that they move inwardlyand free the bolt 55 for movement outwardly relative to the plate 31.Since the bolt 55 provided the only connection between the male andfemale members, the spring 85 now moves the male member 12 axiallyoutwardly and ejects it from the female member, and simultaneouslyseparates all of the cooperating contacts 18-42 and 264-6. This freesthe female member 14 from all connection to the ground station, so thatit may move with the vehicle on which it is mounted without exteriorresistance.

It will be apparent that the operating pin 61 may also e manuallyreleased by pulling on the lanyard connected to the ring 63, which willshear the pin 75 and move the pin 61 outwardly to release the connectionbetween male b and female members of the connector as previouslydescribed.

in the event the male member is not injured or destroyed by the blastfrom the vehicle to which the connector is attached, it is apparent thatit may be reused 1n the manner described with a new or the same femalemember ll.

PiGURE 6 shows an alternative mounting for a stationary contact 23mounted in a notch 22 in the female member ll, in which there isdisposed between the contact Z3 and the back of the notch 22 a cold flowplastic material 53 which, when the contacts are engaged, must i'lowtoward the opposite ends of the contact, thus serving to back up thecontact to increase the contact pressure between the cooperatingcontacts.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that applicants connectorbe readily assembled and then, by manipulation of the 57, the male andfemale members be brought tightly together to secure a w ping action dcooperating contacts on the male and the inclii female members, and adeformation of their normal shapes to secure a relatively high contactpressure therebetween. it will furthe be seen that the connector isreleased by a relatively ight force required to shear the light pin 75and to move the pin 61 axially. Thereafter tile radial components offorce exerted by the bevels and 37 will move the r llers 67 and 63inwardly so that the bolt is freed from the plate 31, and the malemember 22 is then separated or elected from the female memer under ofthe spring 85. The release is quick, positive, sure, and relr'ble, andresults in separation or ejection of male mernber, with simultaneousseparation of the cooperating contacts of the connector. At the theconnector when in assembled position a see, high-pressure wiping contactensame time, affords a low-resr: 1 1 re cooperating contacts on tne mart erect.

gagement bet een were and female While a ce ai referred embodiment ofthe invention has been soecili 2 shown and described, it will beunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the invention is to begiven its broadest interpretation Within the terms of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable andseparable members; a plurality of contacts on each said members, saidcontacts being mounted substantially in a ring in circumferentiallyspaced relation; means for indexing said members so that the contacts onone of said members cooperate with the contacts on the other of saidmembers to esta lish a plurality of electrical circuits through theconnector, said contacts being mounted with their engaging surfaces atan acute angle to the direction of relative movement of said members andengaging prior to complete engagement of said members to provide forrelative wiping movement of said contacts, said contacts beingsubstantially longitudinally bowed and being restrained againstlongitudinm movement of both ends of the bows, said bows flattening Withincreased curvature adjacent the ends thereof as the contacts fullyengage to provide contact pressure between the cooperating contacts;means for positively moving said members into engaged position with saidcontacts deformed; and means for effecting relative disengaging movementof said members at will.

2. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable andseparable members; a plurality of contacts on each said members, saidcontacts being mounted substantially in a ring in circumferentiallyspaced relation; means for in exing said members so that the contacts onone of said members cooperate with the contacts on the other of saidmembers to establish a plurality of electrical circuits through theconnector, said contacts being mounted with their engaging surfaces atan acute angle to the direction of relative movement of said members andengaging prior to complete engagement of said members to provide forrelative wiping movement of said contacts, said contacts beingsubstantially longitudinally bowed and being restrained againstlongitudinal movement of both ends of the bows, said bows flatteningwith increased curvature adjacent the ends thereof as the contacts fullyengage to provide contact pressure between the cooperating contacts; acold flow plastic material backing said contacts to be deformedtherewith; means for positively moving said members into engagedposition with said contacts deformed; and means for efiecting relativedisengaging movement of said members at will.

3. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable andseparable members; a plurality of contacts on each said members, saidcontacts being mounted su stantially in a ring in circumferentiallyspaced relation; means for indexing said members so that the contacts onone of said members cooperate with the contacts on the other of saidmembers to establish a plurality of electrical circuits through theconnector, said contacts being mounted with their engaging surfaces atan acute angle to the direction of relative movement of said members andengaging prior to complete engagement of said members to provide forrelative wiping movement of said contacts, said contacts being formed ofresilient material and being arranged to be deformed without deformationof said members to provide contact pressure between the cooperatingcontacts; means for positively moving said members into engaged positionwith said contacts deformed; means independent of said contacts biasingsaid members for relative separating movement; means for locking saidmembers in engaged position; and means for releasing said locking meansto elfect relative movement between said members under the action ofsaid biasing means to separate the connector.

4. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable and separatemembers; a plurality of contacts on each said members, said contactsbeing mounted substantially in a ring in circumferentially spacedrelation; means for indexing said members so that the contacts on one ofsaid members cooperate with the contacts on the other of said members toestablish a plurality of electrical circuits through the connector, saidcontacts being mounted with their engaging surfaces at an acute angle tothe direction of relative movement of said members and engaging prior tocomplete engagement of said members to provide for relative wipingmovement of said contacts, said contacts having a longitudinally bowedshape and being restrained against longitudinal movement of both ends ofthe bows, said bows flattening as the contacts fully en age to providecontact pressure between the coopera ng contacts; means for positivelymoving said members into engaged position with said contacts deformed,said last mentioned means including means interconnecting said membershaving adjusting means for positively drawing said members together intoengaged position to stress said contacts; means independent of saidcontacts biasing said members for relative separating movementtherebetweeu; and means for releasing said interconnecting means at willto provide for quick automatic separation of said members andcooperating contacts under the action of said biasin' means.

5. An electrical connector comprisi g: a pair of engageable andseparable members; a molt licity of electrical contacts on each of saidmembers arranged substantially in ring formation and circumferentiallyspaced apart; means for indexing said members so that in engagedposition the contacts thereon will cooperate to establish a multiplicityof circuits through the connector; connecting means mounted on one ofsaid members and releasably engageable with the other of said members;means for positively moving said connecting means to force said membersinto engagement to effect deformation of the cooperating contacts understress to establish a substantial contact pressure therebetween andeffect a low resistance connection, said connecting eans includingelements movable into extended and retracted position and normally heldin extended position to effect the connection between said members;means independent of said contacts biasing said members for relativeseparating movement; and means for releasing said elements for movementinto retracted position to release the connection between said membersfor quick and positive simultaneous disconnection of said contacts byrelative separating movement of said members.

6. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable andseparable members; a multiplicity of electrical contacts on each of saidmembers arranged substantially in ring formation and circumferentiallyspaced apart; means for indexing said members so that in engagedposition the contacts thereon will cooperate to establish a multiplicityof circuits through the connector; connecting means mounted on one ofsaid members and releasably engageable with the other of said members;means for positively moving said connecting means to force said membersinto engagement to elfect deformation of the cooperating contacts understress to establish a substantial contact pressure therebetween andeffect a low resistance connection, said connecting means includingelements movable into extended and retracted position and normally heldin extended position to effect the connection between said members;means independent of said contacts biasing said members for relativeseparating movement; and electromagnetic means operable when energizedto release said elements for movement into retracted position to breakthe connection between said members and eifect quick separation of saidmembers under the action of said biasing means with simultaneousinterruption of the multiplicity of circuits through said connector.

7. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable andseparable members; a multiplicity of electrical contacts on each of saidmembers arranged substantially in ring formation and circumferentiallyspaced apart; means for indexing said members so that in engagedposition the contacts thereon will cooperate to establish a multiplicityof circuits through the connector; connecting means mounted on one ofsaid members and releasably engageable with the other of said members;means for positively moving said connecting means to force said membersinto engagement to elfect deformation of the cooperating contacts understress to establish a substantial contact pressure therebetween andeffect a low resistance comiection, said connecting means includingelements movable into extended and retracted position and normally heldin extended position to effect the connection between said members;means independent of said contacts biasing said members for relativeseparating movement; and means for releasing said elements for movementinto retracted position to release the connection between said membersfor quick and positive simultaneous disconnection of said contacts byrelative separating movement of said members, said contacts beingarranged with their engaging surfaces at an acute angle to the directionof relative movement between said members to provide for a wiping actionbetween said contacts, said contacts having a normally substantiallylongitudinally bowed shape which is flattened upon full engagement ofsaid contacts and being restrained against longitudinal movement of bothends of the bows during such flattening, and said contacts being formedof resilient material tending to reestablish their original bowed shapesso as to effect a substantial contact pressure between the contacts.

8. An electrical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material, said fe male member having a pluralityof separate, concentric, discontinuous, axially and radially spacedtruncated conical surfaces, and said male member having a plurality ofcomplementary separate, concentric, discontinuous, radially and axiallyspaced truncated conical surfaces; a multiplicity of contacts mounted oneach of said conical surfaces circumferentially spaced in a ring, saidcontacts being located so that upon engagement of said male member insaid female member the contacts thereon will cooperate to establish amultiplicity of circuits through the connector, said contacts beingformed of resilient mate rial and being arranged to be deformed withoutdeformation of said members upon engagement of said male member in saidfemale member; means interconnecting said male and female members andincluding means for positively forcing said male member into the femalemember to effect said contact deformation and establish a substantialcontact pressure between the cooperating contacts; means for releasingsaid interconnecting means between said members; and means forwithdrawing said male member from said female member to efiectseparation of the connector.

9. An electrical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material, said female member having a plurality ofseparate, concentric, discontinuous, axially and radially spacedtruncated conical surfaces, and said male member having a plurality ofcomplementary separate, concentric, discontinuous, radially and axiallyspaced truncated conical surfaces; 21 multiplicity of contacts mountedon each of said conical surfaces circumferentially spaced in a ring,said contacts being located so that upon engagement of said male memberin said female member the contacts thereon will cooperate to establish amultiplicity of circuits through the connector, said contacts beingarranged so that their contact surfaces extend at an acute angle to thedirection of movement of said male member to provide for a wiping actionbetween said contacts as the male member fully enters the female member,said contacts being formed of resilient material and being arranged tobe deformed without deformation of said members upon engagement of saidmale member in said female member; means interconnecting said male andfemale members and including means for positively forcing said malemember into the female member to efiect said contact deformation andestablish a substantial contact pressure between the cooperatingcontacts; means for releasing said interconnecting means between saidmembers; and means for withdrawing said male member from said femalemember to effect separation of the connector.

10. An elect ical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material, said female member having a plurality ofseparate, concentric, discontinuous, axially and radially spacedtruncated conical surfaces, and said male member having a plurality ofcomplementary separate, concentric, discontinuous, radially and axiallyspaced truncated conical surfaces; a multiplicity of contacts mounted oneach of said conical surfaces circumferentially spaced in a ring, saidcontacts being located so that upon engagement of said male member insaid female member the contacts thereon will cooperate to establish amultiplicity of circuits through the connector, said contacts beingformed of resilient material and being arranged to be deformed withoutdeformation of said members upon engagement of said male member in saidfemale member; means interconnecting said male and female members andincluding means for positively forcing said male member into the femalemember to effect said contact deformation and establish a substantialcontact pressure between the cooperating contacts; means independent ofsaid contacts biasing saidrmale member for ejection from said femalemember; and means for releasing the interconnecting means between saidmembers to provide for quick ejection of the male member from the femalemember to effect separation of said connector and freeing of said femalemember.

11. An electrical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material, said female member having a plurality ofseparate, concentric, discontinuous, axially and radially spacedtruncated conical surfaces, and said male member having a plurality ofcomplementary separate, concentric, discontinuous, radially and axiallyspaced truncated conical surfaces; a multiplicity of contacts mounted oneach of said conical surfaces circumferentially spaced in a ring, saidcontacts being located so that upon engagement of said male member insaid female member the contacts thereon will cooperate to establish amultiplicity of circuits through the connector, said contacts beingformed of resilient material and being arranged to be deformed withoutdeformation of said members upon engagement of said male member in saidfemale member; means interconnecting said male and female members andincluding means for positively forcsaid male member into the femalemember to effect said contact deformation and establish a substantialcontact pressure between the cooperating contacts; means independent ofsaid contacts biasing said male member for ejection from said femalemember; and electromagnetic means for releasing the interconnectingmeans between said members to effect ejection of said male member andsimultaneous quick disconnection of the multiplicity of circuits throughsaid connector.

12. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable andseparable insulating members; a plurality of contacts on each of saidmembers, said contacts being circumferentially spaced in concentricrings on each of said members and located so as to cooperate when saidmembers are engaged to establish a multiplicity of circuits throug theconnector, said contacts being longitudinally bowed and formed ofresilient material; means limiting the length of said contacts; meansfor positively forcing said members into engagement so as to flattensaid contacts with increased curvature adjacent the ends of the bows toestablish a substantial contact pressure therebetween; means forreleasing said members; and means for elfecting relative separatingmovement between said members to disconnect sai connector.

13. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engagcable andseparable insulating members; a plurality of contacts on each of saidmembers, said contacts being circumferentially spaced in concentricrings on each of said members and located so as to cooperate when saidmembers are engaged to establish a multiplicity of circuits through theconnector, said contacts being formed of resilient material nd beingdeformable without deformation of said members; means for positivelyforcing said members into engagement so as to deform said contactswithout deforming said members to establish a substantial contactpressure therebetu-een; means for releashig said men bers; and means forrelative separating movement betweenn said members to disconnect saidconnector, said last mentioned means comprising biasing means ind=pendentof said contacts operating when said members are released toeifect quick relative movement between said members to effect quickdisconnection of said connector and simultaneous interruption of saidmultiplicity of circuits.

14. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable andseparable insulating members; a plurality of contacts being contacts oneach of said members, said circumferentially spaced in concentric ringson each of said members located so as to cooperate when said members areengaged to establish a multiplicity of circuits through the connector,said contacts being longitudinally bowed and formed of resilientmaterim; means limiting the length of said contacts; means forpositively forcing said members into engagement, said contacts beingarranged With their contacting surfaces at an acute angle to thedirection of relative movement of said members, and said contactsurfaces engaging prior to the complete engagement of said members so asto effect both a wiping and flattening action of the contact surfaceswith increase in curvature adjacent the ends of the bows; means forreleasing said members; and means for effecting relative separatingmovement bet veen said members to disconnect said connector.

15. An electrical connector comprising: a pair of engageable andseparable insulating members; a plurality of contacts on each of saidmembers, said contacts being circumferentially spaced in concentricrings on each of said members and located so as to cooperate when saidmembers are engaged to establish a multiplicity of circuits 3 ough theconnector, said contacts being formed of resdient material and beingdeformable without deformation of said members; means for positivelyforcing said members into engagement, said contacts being arranged withtheir contacting surfaces at an acute angle to the direction of relativemovement of said members, and said contact surfaces engaging prior tothe complete engagement of said members so as to effect both a Wipingand deforming action of the contact surfaces without deforming saidmembers; means for positively locking said members in en aged position;electromagnetic and manual means for releasing said positive loci.means; and means independent of said contacts for biasing said membersfor quick relative disconnecting movement when released.

16. An electrical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material; a plurality of electrical contacts oneach of said members, said contacts being arranged in circumferentiallyspaced relation in axially and radially spaced concentric rings on eachof said members; means for indexing said members so that in engagedposition the contacts thereon cooperate to establish a multiplicity ofcircuits through the connector, said contacts being arranged so thattheir engaging surfaces are disposed at an acute angle to the directionof movement of said male member and positioned to be engaged prior tocomplete insertion of said male member in the female member so that awiping action occurs at the cooperating contact surfaces, said contactsbeing formed of resilient material and being deformed as said malemember completely enters said female member Without deformation ofeither member so as to establish a substantial contact pressure betweenthe cooperating contact surfaces; means for positively inserting saidmale member into said female member to effect said wiping and deformingaction of said contact surfaces without deforming either of saidmembers; and means for releasing said last mentioned means to providefor removal of said male member from said female member to disconnectsaid connector.

17. An electrical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material; a plurality of electrical contacts oneach of said members, said contacts being arranged in circumferentiallyspaced relation in axially and radially spaced concentric rings on eachof said members; means for indexing said members so that in engagedposition the contacts thereon cooperate to establish a multiplicity ofcircuits through the connector, said contacts being arranged so thattheir engaging surfaces are disposed at an acute angle to the directionof movement of said male member and positioned to be engaged prior tocomplete insertion of said male member in the female member so that aWiping action occurs at the cooperating contact surfaces, said contactsbeing formed of resilient material and being deformed as said malemember completely enters said female member without deformation ofeither member so as to establish a substantial contact pressure betweenthe cooperating contact surfaces; means interconnecting said male andfemale members and including adjusting means for positively forcing saidmale member into said female member to effect the wiping and deformingaction of the contact surfaces without deforming either of said members;means independent of said contacts biasing said male member for eiectionfrom said female member; and means for releasing said interconnectingmeans at will to provide for quick ejection of said male member andseparation of the connector.

18. An electrical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material; a plurality of electrical contacts oneach of said members, said contacts being arranged in circumferentiallyspaced relation in axially and radially spaced concentric rings on eachof said members; means for indexing said members so that in engagedposition the contacts thereon cooperate to establish a multiplicity ofcircuits through the connector, said contacts being arranged so thattheir engaging surfaces are disposed at an acute angle to the directionof movement of said male member and positioned to be engaged prior tocomplete insertion of said male member in the female member so that awiping action occurs at the cooperating contact surfaces, said contactsbeing'formed of resilient material and being deformed as said malemember completely enters said female member without deformation ofeither member so as to establish a substantial contact pressure betweenthe cooperating contact surfaces; a bolt slidably extending through theaxis of said male member and having means at its inner end interlockingwith said female member; a nut threaded on the exterior end of said boltand operable to force said male member into said female member to effectsaid contact surface wiping and deforming action without deformingeither of said members; means independent of said contacts biasing saidmale member for ejection from said female member; and electromagneticmeans for releasing said interlock between said bolt and said femalemember to provide for quick ejection movement of said male mem her andseparation of said connector.

19. An electrical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material; a plurality of electrical contacts oneach of said members, said contacts being arranged in circumferentiallyspaced relation in axially and radially spaced concentric rings on eachof said members; means for indexing said members so that in engagedposition the contacts thereon cooperate to establish a multiplicity ofcircuits through the con nector, said contacts being arranged so thattheir engaging surfaces are disposed at an acute angle to the directionof movement of said male member and positioned to be engaged prior tocomplete insertion of said male member in the female member so that awiping action occurs at the cooperating contact surfaces, said contactsbeing formed of resilient material and being deformed as said malemember completely enters said female member so as to establish asubstantial contact pressure between the cooperating contact surfaces; abolt slidably extending through the axis of said male member and havingmeans at' its inner end interlocking with said female member; a nutthreaded on the exterior end of said bolt and operable to force saidmale member into said female member to effect said contact wiping anddeforming action; means biasing said male member for ejection from saidfemale member; said interlock means including elements extendable andretractable radially of said bolt into engagement with a back surface onsaid female member, said back surface being inclined to the axis of saidbolt so as to exert a radial component of force on said elements; meansdisposable between said elements to force them into extended and lockingrelation with respect to said back surface; and electromagnetic meansfor withdrawing said means disposed between said elements to provide forradial retracting movement thereof and release of said back surface tofree said male member for rapid ejection from said female member undersaid biasing means to effect separation of said connector andsimultaneous disconnection of the multiplicity of circuits therethrough.

20. An electrical connector comprising: cooperating male and femalemembers of insulating material; a plurality of electrical contacts oneach of said members, said contacts being arranged in circumferentiallyspaced relation in axially and radially spaced concentric rings on eachof said members; means for indexing said members so that in engagedposition the contacts thereon cooperate to establish a multiplicity ofcircuits through the connector, said contacts being arranged so thattheir engaging surfaces are disposed at an acute angle to'the directionof movement of said male member and positioned to be engaged prior tocomplete insertion of said male member in the female member so that awiping action occurs at the cooperating contact surfaces, said contactsbeing formed of resilient material and being deformed as said malemember completely enters said female member so as to establish asubstantial contact pressure between the cooperating contact surfaces; abolt slidably extending through the axis of said male member and havingmeans at its inner end interlocking with said female member; a nutthreaded on the exterior end of said bolt and operable to force saidmale member into said female member to effectsaid contact surface wipingand deforming action; means biasing said male member for ejection fromsaid female member; said interlock means including elements extendableand retractable radially of said bolt into engagement with a backsurface on said female member, said back surface being inclined to theaxis of said bolt so as to exert a radial component of force on saidelements; means disposable between said elements to force them intoextended and locking relation with respect to said back surface; andrelease means for withdrawing said means disposed between said elementsto provide for radial retracting movement thereof and release of saidback surface to free said male member for rapid ejection from saidfemale member under said biasing means to effect separation of saidconnector and simultaneous disconnection of the multiplicity of circuitstherethrough; said extendable and retractable elements comprisingrollers rotatably and slidably mounted in the interior end of said bolt,and said release means comprising both electromagnetic and manuallyoperable means for withdrawing the means disposed between said rollers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,699,534 Klostermann Ian. 11, 1955 2,710,384 Dupre et al. June 7, 19552,749,526 Petersen June 5, 1956 2,971,177 Linhart Feb. 7, 1961 3,015,867Bronstein et al. Ian, 9, 1962 3,069,191 De Pew Dec. 18, 1962

12. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING: A PAIR OF ENGAGEABLE ANDSEPARABLE INSULATING MEMBERS; A PLURALITY OF CONTACTS ON EACH OF SAIDMEMBERS, SAID CONTACTS BEING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED IN CONCENTRICRINGS ON EACH OF SAID MEMBERS AND LOCATED SO AS TO COOPERATE WHEN SAIDMEMBERS ARE ENGAGED TO ESTABLISH A MULTIPLICITY OF CIRCUITS THROUGH THECONNECTOR, SAID CONTACTS BEING LONGITUDINALLY BOWED AND FORMED OFRESILIENT MATERIAL; MEANS LIMITING THE LENGTH OF SAID CONTACTS; MEANSFOR POSITIVELY FORCING SAID MEMBERS INTO ENGAGEMENT SO AS TO FLATTENSAID CONTACTS WITH INCREASED CURVATURE ADJACENT THE ENDS OF THE BOWS TOESTABLISH A SUBSTANTIAL CONTACT PRESSURE THEREBETWEEN; MEANS FORRELEASING SAID MEMBERS; AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING RELATIVE SEPARATINGMOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS TO DISCONNECT SAID CONNECTOR.